“My comments in iPolitics with respect to Mr. Mulcair and Mr. Layton were insensitive and inconsiderate. I apologize to Mr. Mulcair and to Mr. Layton’s family,” the MP wrote.

Layton's widow and fellow MP, Olivia Chow, spoke to the media on Monday afternoon and said she accepted Anders' apology and said there was no dissension among her caucus. She has not received a call or personal note from Anders but has read his statement and said that she would go over and speak to him later this afternoon.

Chow noted that Mulcair like all NDP MPs "loved Jack." She also said that "unity and loyalty is in [the party's] DNA."